Rafael Nadal poses with Australian Open men’s singles final trophy at the locker room at Melbourne Park in Melbourne on Monday January 31, 2022. MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT Fiona Hamilton/TENNIS AUSTRALIA
Novak Djokovic has confessed to American TV that hyper-concentrated Rafael Nadal drove him to pre-match distraction in a Roland Garros locker room.
The world No. 1 made his revelation to the 60 Minutes programme, confessing that the Spaniard’s rituals and mannerism got under his skin.
The Serb leads a career series dating to 2006 by a narrow 30-29 margin.
“I remember playing with him at Roland Garros, our lockers were next to each other, very close,” Djokovic explained.
“We tried to give ourselves space but the locker room is not that big.
“Nadal performs those jumps before going out on the court, even at his locker; he (also) does sprints next to his rivals.”
Djokovic added: “I could even hear what music he is listening to in his headphones – all of that bothers me.
“I didn’t realize that all of this is actually (scripted).
“I felt intimidated, he motivated me to show that he was ready for battle.”
The pair have played 10 times at the Paris Grand Slam venue.-
Main photo:- Rafael Nadal in the locker room at Melbourne Park after winning the 2022 Australian Open by Fiona Hamilton/TENNIS AUSTRALIA
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